Kobe.
That’s all you need to hear.
A true indication of legendary status is when you hear one name and know who you’re talking about.
Kobe.
It was also a name you uttered when you threw a piece of paper in a recycling bin, or I’ve done it playing with my kids’ toy ball and hoop.
He was clutch. He hit big shots. He won championships and he was one of the most recognizable sports personalities of his era.
The tributes are coming from everywhere: The music world last night at the Grammys, baseball, hockey, it doesn’t matter. Kobe Bryant was bigger than basketball.
His mamba mentality has transcended his sport.
He even wrote a book about it. Simply, it’s to constantly try to be the best version of yourself. Try to be better today than you were yesterday.
Kobe did that. He got better and better each day. He made terrible mistakes and grew from them.
It adds to the sadness when you ponder, what more Kobe had set out to do beyond his short 41 years.